Friday, July 31, 2009

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

The Red Badge of Courage displays the point of view of a young boy who wanted to join in on the battles that had occurred during the Civil War. It takes the reader through the mind of many of those who fought. It takes you through the real life of a soldier. A life filled with contradictions and distrust among the allies. But when it comes time for war with the enemy, all grudges are lifted and unity is formed. Rating: 4 out of 5

Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks

I read Rosa Parks: My Story. I really liked the book a lot. I learned about her life. The most interesting part was when she was arrested. Even more interesting was that I got to sit in the same bus as Rosa Parks sat in at the Henry Ford Museum. I am really glad I got to read the book.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Mister Monday, the first book of Keys to the Kingdom, is a definite must on everyone's 'To Read' list. If you don't read it, you will be missing out on a magical and eye-popping journey to defeat Mister Monday. Will Arthur obtain the first key? Accompanied by Suzy and the Will, Arthur will definitely receive the victory! The only thing he will have to worry about if he wins, mortality and Tuesday. Read Mister Monday by Garth Nix, you will not regret it!

The Dragon Princess by E. D. Baker

The Dragon Princess was so amazing and magical. This book is perfect for somebody who loves magic and suspense. I love how the author used many mythical creatures in addition to the main characters dragon, wizard, bat, and troll. It is always fun to read behind the eyes of a princess. Princess Millie is no ordinary princess though, when she gets really angry she turns into a hideous green scaly dragon. Rating: 4 out of 5

Revenge of the Wannabes by Lisi Harrison

The Clique series is a great series for sixth and seventh graders. Revenge of the Wannabes is the third book in the series. In Revenge of the Wannabes I liked how it kept you waiting till the end to let you know if Massie and Alicia would be friends again. This reminds me of how a mystery book would make you wait to the end for the solutions. It's a great read. Rating: 5 out of 5

Monday, July 27, 2009

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry was a very little boy when both of his parents were killed by the worst creature of all time, Voldemort. But Harry was the lucky boy that lived. He only had one place to live, the Dursley's, who have always hated the Potters. All Harry knows is a horrible life with his aunt and uncle and their spoiled, mean son, Dudley. Harry lives in a tiny, filthy cupboard, always gets bullied by Dudley and doesn't go anywhere but school. But, all of this changes when Harry receives a letter, an invitation to a wonderful place, a place where he has lots of encounters. Rated: 4 out of 5

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

Have you ever had a hard time finding a book full of adventure & mystery? Well, here is the book for you! The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues - Book One) is about two kids, Amy & Dan. Their Grandma dies, so they're orphans. At their grandma's funeral, they watch a video and have a choice: grab the Million $ under your chair or go on a quest/chase for WORLD DOMINATION!! What do you think they will pick? Read the book to find out!!

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

13 Little Blue Envelopes, a fiction novel written by Maureen Johnson, guides you through Ginny's journey around Europe. Ginny, a regular teenage girl, was forced to go on a plane to Europe after she received a package of letters from her dead, runaway Aunt Peg. Each letter was in a blue envelope that was numbered. In the letters, her Aunt Peg told Ginny some personal information and tasks she had to accomplish in certain cities. Throughout the adventures, Ginny tried many new things that she never did before and met people that loved her for who she is and people that took advantage of her. After the long trip was over, Ginny learned that it's always okay to speak out and that inner-beauty is most important. Never change to be someone you're not, and never lose confidence in yourself. I highly recommend this easy, great read for anyone that likes adventure or if you just want to sit back and relax. The characters and events are real and relatable, which is why I would, hands down, give this book five stars. Rating: 5 out of 5

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac is a beautifully written story that tells of a teenage girl that is in a tragic accident and gets amnesia. She turns into someone totally unlike who she was before and starts to look at how people tell her her old life was, in a different way. The twists and turns this book takes make you sigh, gasp, laugh, and even cry. It was the same kind of writing as Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, that pulls you into the story. I finished it in a day. Even though it's 271 pages long, it just blew right by because the story built a momentum and it just got better as it went on. I recommend this book to people that are up for a mature read. I wa deeply engrossed in the story as soon as I picked the book up. It was the type of book that you feel as if you're the main character and I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. Rating: 5 out of 5

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was completely filled with action. J. K. Rowling made me read thi 759 page book in less than 2 days. Deathly Hallows is definitely a page turner. Everything that has happened from the first book and all the mysteries are finally revealed in the Deathly Hallows. Vodemort's end is also not finished off in one duel, it takes a whole year. After this Harry Potter and his true love have a happy life together. Rating: 5 out of 5

Saturday, July 18, 2009

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

The Princess Diaries is about a normal girl that finds out after 15 years that she is a princess. Mia is not like other girls that wish to be princesses. She just wants to be a normal person with a normal life. But she has to. It's in her blood. To be a princess, she has to do a couple things. She has to make sure that nobody at her school finds out about her being a princess, she has to go to princess training with her grandmother, and act like a princess at the same time. She faces a couple challenges on the way. She was almost going to give up the throne, but she stopped herself and continued to be the princess. At the end, she became the Princess of Genovia.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life as We Knew It was about a girl's life when an asteroid hits the moon. Her whole life is changed when the moon is closer to the earth's orbit. Suddenly, all schools are closed, friends are moving, food is scarce, and many people are dying. She and her family have to save every bit of food, for it to last. There is never any electricity anymore, and all stores and buildings are closed. She doesn't know where her dad is or even if he is safe or not. What will happen? Will they survive?

Ever by Gail Carson Levine

Ever is an outstanding fantasy novel written by Gail Carson Levine. It's about an ordinary mortal girl named Kezi, being confronted with a terrible destiny. But meeting Olus, an extraordinary immortal man, who is also known as god of loneliness and winds, made an unexpected twist in her life. Their unbelievable love for each other and eagerness to fight against their destiny proved that fate can be thwarted or happy endings could indeed happen. It's not perfect but it sure is an amazing story set in a stunning world of flawed gods, unbreakable vows, and ancient omens. I would rate it 3 / 5 for it has a good storyline & message but some things are in fact imaginary/fantasy and therefore unrealistic compared to our reality world. However, what I most loved about reading the book is how it gets you into the story as if you were somehow part of it. Rating: 3 out of 5

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

I liked New Moon a lot. It was a really exciting read. I liked that it told more about Jacob's side of the story. I did not like how Bella moped around most of the book. Once you pick this book up, you can't put it down. Rating: 4 out of 5

A Spy Among the Girls by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

A Spy Among the Girls is about the Malloy and Hartford families. They each live on one side of the river. Malloys have three girls, Eddie, Beth, and Caroline. The Hartfords have four boys, Jake, Josh, Wally, and Peter. Beth and Josh fall in love, which is a disgrace because the boys and girls play tricks on each other and are enemies. Caroline decides that if she ever were to play a starring role in a romance novel, she, too, needs to fall in love. Unfortunately for Wally, Caroline picks him. Oh, no!

Alias: A Secret Life by Laura Peyton Roberts

Alias: A Secret Life was a very fast paced spy novel. It is a series based off a hit tv series. The main characters are Sydney Bristrow and Noah Hicks, both agents. This will be Sydney's first real mission and she is only a trainee. It will be Sydney's first mission, first alias, first real enemy, first real crush and first big mistake. Noah Hicks is a very high trained agent and a pro and not that enthusiastic on having Sydney as his partner, a mere trainee. This story takes place in Paris. I would recommend this book to everyone who likes action. Rating: 5 out of 5.